Tesco swings axe on supermarket staff in jobs cull

Digital reporter

Tesco is to axe 1,700 shop floor jobs as part of a cost-cutting drive at Britain's biggest retailer.

The supermarket said the changes will see the roles of people manager, customer experience manager and compliance manager removed from large stores in an effort to "simplify" its operational structure.

Tesco said the shake up will give line managers more "direct accountability" for customer service, as well as "improve efficiency".

The changes will affect 1,700 staff, for who Tesco said it will attempt to find alternative roles within the business "wherever possible".

Matt Davies, who heads up Tesco UK and Ireland, said: "These changes remove complexity and will deliver a simpler, more helpful experience for colleagues and customers. We recognise these are difficult changes to make but they are necessary to ensure our business remains competitive and set up for the future.

"Our priority now is to support affected colleagues through these changes in any way we can. We hope to retain as many colleagues as possible in the new roles we have created and in the vacancies we currently have available."

Tesco added that 900 new roles with broader remits will be created under the titles of people partners, learning partners and colleague relations partners.

Tesco has axed thousands of jobs in recent years as it ploughs on with a turnaround plan under chief executive Dave Lewis.

Last year it culled 1,200 jobs at its head office and said 1,100 jobs would be axed after confirming plans to shut its call centre in Cardiff.

During his time as chief executive, Mr Lewis has ordered more than 10,000 job cuts spanning head office, supermarkets and overseas operations.